This family matchup involving the visiting Bison and host Bulldogs will mark Homecoming for S.C. State. Kick-off time in this affair is set for 1:30 p.m., before an expected large crowd at the 22,000 seat venue, on the SCSU campus.

Howard will come into the game this weekend sporting a 5-2 overall worksheet. The Bison, who nipped area foe and conference opponent Morgan State 21-20 this past Sat. (10/20), in our nation’s capital, is 4-1 in league play.

In the overall series, which started in 1971, the Bulldogs own a 30-11 mark versus the Bison, which is highlighted by South Carolina State winning nine of the last 10 outings; including a 30-0 shutout of Howard last season in Washington, D.C. The last Howard win came in 2002, when the Bison upended the Bulldogs 23-9 at Dawson Bulldog Stadium.

Keenly aware of the play of the Bison this season, Buddy Pough, nearing the end of his 11th season as head coach of the Bulldogs, stressed that his charges have to be ready to play a complete game opposite an opponent that is obviously very much improved over its 5-6 2011 finish.

And although having knowledge of South Carolina State’s troubles this campaign, Bison coach Gary Harrell is still approaching the game against the Bulldogs as a tough challenge for his troopers.

Harrell, a former wide receiver for Howard, is in his second season as head man of the Bison grid program.